Why the Colorado is Motor Trend 2015 Truck of the Year

Motor Trend named the Chevrolet Colorado its 2015 Truck of the Year, edging out both the Ford Transit van and the 2015 Ford F-150.

The F-150 didn’t even come in second. That honor went to the Ford Transit full-size commercial van.

Awards from the enthusiast publications are coveted because automakers use them as a sales tool. The next major test for the F-150 will be the North American Truck of the Year prize announced each year at the big annual auto show in Detroit in January.

“After days of testing, hundreds of miles on the road, and our most rigorous truck testing program to date, our editors unanimously selected the Chevy Colorado as our 2015 Truck of the Year,” said Edward Loh, the magazine’s editor-in-chief. “Colorado is a smart, capable, and refreshingly honest truck that makes a strong value and efficiency statement. It’s perfectly sized and suited for the needs of many truck users.”

Nine Motor Trend editors evaluated seven new or significantly updated trucks including the Colorado, the Chevrolet Silverado 3500 HD, the Ford F-150 with the 2.7-liter and 3.5-liter EcoBoost engines, the Ford F-450, the Ford Transit 350 HR and 150 MR, the GMC Canyon SLT and GMC Sierra Denali 2500 HD.

The editors scored each truck on value, safety, efficiency, design, engineering excellence and performance of intended functions, Loh said.

It shouldn’t be underestimate how significant it is for GM to come back into the midsize pickup segment that others have abandoned,” Loh said.

That the nine judges unanimously chose the Colorado will surprise some truck enthusiasts given the anticipation that has built around Ford’s aluminum body F-150 that is just arriving at dealerships this month.

“The Chevrolet Colorado offers customers the versatility of a pickup in a powerful, refined, fuel-efficient midsize package, with up to 27 miles per gallon on the highway, as certified by the Environmental Protection Agency,” said Sandor Piszar, Chevy Trucks marketing director.